Errors in the Use of Indonesian Language Register by Foreign Learners in BIPA Learning

Abstract

While selecting suitable language register is essential for learning Bahasa Indonesia untuk Penutur Asing (BIPA), many learners still struggle to match language usage to communicative context. The purpose of this study is (1) to describe the types of errors that BIPA learners make when selecting Indonesian language register and (2) to describe the factors influencing BIPA learners in making errors when selecting Indonesian language registers. Five scholarly sources published between 2021 and 2025 were analyzed using a qualitative approach and the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method. Journal articles, conference proceedings, and a thesis on pragmatics, speech acts, speaking anxiety, and register use among BIPA learners are some of the data sources.  The analysis reveals that errors in register selection are caused by several interrelated factors: limited pragmatic instruction, overemphasis on formal language in curricula, influence of learners’ native languages, lack of exposure to context-based communication, and psychological barriers such as anxiety. These results indicate that more context-based integrated teaching methods are needed to improve learners' sociopragmatic competencies in the BIPA learning.